Changing your own Brake Pads...

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Jun 27, 2005 | 03:35 PM

lordbones

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Instructor

Joined: Apr 2004

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From: Knoxville Tennessee

Changing your own Brake Pads...

I am so sorry if this has been asked or posted before but upon searching the forums, I didn't find a thread dealing with replacing brake pads...

I am interested in knowing if it is possible & what it may take to change my brake pads on my '02 Coupe. I'm planning on buying the Hawk pads for the C5 at PepBoys but, I really don't have anyone here that I trust with my baby...Any suggestions, tips or how-to is greatly appreciated!! Thanks

Jun 27, 2005 | 04:34 PM

2kbluestreak

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 1,132

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From: Morganton, NC, USA

Fairly easy, but not as quick as the opposed cylinder calipers. Remove wheel, loosen the 2 small bolts that screw into the caliper pins holding the caliper to the bracket. (Leave the large 21mm bolts alone.) You will need to hold the caliper pin from rotating with a 16mm or 5/8" open end wrench. There are two flats on the pins, very close to a rubber seal. You should remove both bolts and pull the caliper straight off. Everyone says to wire the loose caliper so they don't pull on the hydraulic hose, but these calipers are very light. Sometimes the old pads will stay with the caliper bracket. Put some anti-seize on the sheet metal pad guides and slide the calipers back on. You'll need a large C clamp or other tool to push the piston(s) back into their bores because the new pads are thicker than the old. I like to crack the bleeder screw when I do this. Now, the reason you remove both bolts is so you can wire brush the old Loctite from the threads. Put on a couple dabs of new high strength Loctite when you screw the bolts back in. Or you could buy new bolts from GM. I think the torque is about 23 foot pounds: just don't over do it as the bolt thread is relatively small, about 8mm.

Jun 27, 2005 | 06:11 PM

Bill Dearborn

Tech Contributor

Joined: Oct 1999

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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)

Another way to do it is even easier. For the front calipers. Use a C clamp to push the pistons back before you do anything else. Then undo the top caliper guide pin bolt and pivot the caliper rearward, pull the old pads out of the caliper bracket put in the new ones and rotate the caliper back into place and fasten with a new guide pin bolt or the old one with some blue LockTite. For the rears the hoses are not long enough so it is difficult to use this method. However, if you convert over to stainless brake lines the rear lines are a lot longer than the stock ones and you can use the same method to replace the pads.

You do not need to replace the lower bolt or re LockTite it since you never took it apart. If you buy the GM pads they come with the bolts for top and bottom, a complete set of anti rattle caliper springs and the slider channels that fit into the caliper bracket. That is one reason their pads are a little more costly since the after market people charge extra for the hardware if they sell it at all.

Bill

Jun 27, 2005 | 06:55 PM

eaa1964

Instructor

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From: Ortonville MI

Sent You Private Message/email With Instructions.

Eaa

Jun 28, 2005 | 01:25 AM

lordbones

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Joined: Apr 2004

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From: Knoxville Tennessee

Thanks guys for all the response! I think I'll be able to get started on it...wish I had pictures to go by but, you can't have everything. Thanks again very much!

Jun 28, 2005 | 07:25 AM

BudgetPlan1

Le Mans Master

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From: NE OH

St. Jude Donor '09-'10

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordbones

Thanks guys for all the response! I think I'll be able to get started on it...wish I had pictures to go by but, you can't have everything. Thanks again very much!

Ask and ye shall receive...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...m_id=49&arch=1

Jun 28, 2005 | 10:53 AM

lordbones

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 152

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From: Knoxville Tennessee

Quote:

Originally Posted by BudgetPlan1

Ask and ye shall receive...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...m_id=49&arch=1

Thanks BudgetPlan! You rock!!!!

Jun 28, 2005 | 12:00 PM

yellow01

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 8,762

Likes: 2

From: Murphy TX

Another DIY born!!

I used to think to myself, "I'd never do my own brakes, it's my safety". Until I realized how easy it was.

Now I say "I'll never give anyone money to do this again!".